If you have an Assurance phone and you’re having trouble unlocking it, don’t panic. It might seem complicated at first, but the steps to unlock your phone are actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of unlocking your Assurance phone, step by step. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to use your phone with any carrier you choose.
What is an Assurance Phone?
If you are not familiar with Assurance Wireless, it is a company designed to provide free or low-cost cell phone services to low-income households. Generally speaking, Assurance Phones are given out to those who meet federal or state-specific eligibility criteria, including participation in certain government assistance programs such as Medicaid or Food Stamps. In many cases, Assurance Phones come preinstalled with a variety of essential applications, including social media, messaging, and email platforms, among others.
How do Assurance Phones work?
Assurance Phones are programmed to work with Assurance Wireless service providers only. These phones can provide various features and benefits to eligible customers such as free or low-cost minutes, text, or data usage. If you have an Assurance Phone in your hands, it comes with a card called an “Unlocking Key,” which is a unique code that allows you to unlock your phone. If you want to swap SIM cards, change service providers or repair your phone, you’ll need to unlock it first with this code. Here are a few easy steps to follow to unlock your Assurance Phone.
- Step 1: Make sure your Assurance Phone is powered on.
- Step 2: Find the “Unlocking Key” card that came with your phone. It should be a small piece of cardboard containing a code.
- Step 3: Turn off your Assurance Phone and take out your Assurance Wireless SIM card and replace it with a non-Assurance Wireless SIM card.
- Step 4: Power on your phone. The phone will prompt you to enter the “Unlocking Key,” which is the unique code found on the card you removed earlier. Enter this code when prompted.
- Step 5: If you entered the code correctly, your Assurance Phone will be instantly unlocked, allowing you to use it with any service provider.
Why Would You Need to Unlock Your Assurance Phone?
Assurance Wireless is a free mobile phone and internet access service that is offered to low-income families and individuals through the federal government’s Lifeline Assistance program. Assurance Wireless phones are locked, meaning that they can only be used on the Assurance Wireless network. However, there are several reasons why you might need to unlock your Assurance Phone:
You Want to Switch Carriers
Perhaps you’re unhappy with Assurance’s wireless coverage in your area, or maybe you’ve found a better deal with another carrier. Whatever the reason, if you want to switch to a different carrier, you’ll need to unlock your Assurance Phone so that it can be used on their network.
You Want to Use an International SIM
If you’re traveling internationally and want to avoid paying high roaming charges, you might consider using a local SIM card in your phone. However, if your Assurance Phone is locked, you won’t be able to use a different carrier’s SIM card. Unlocking your phone will allow you to use an international SIM card and avoid hefty roaming charges.
You Want to Sell Your Phone
If you’re upgrading to a new phone or simply no longer need your Assurance Phone, you might want to sell it. However, a locked phone typically has lower resale value than an unlocked phone, since the buyer will need to go through the hassle and expense of unlocking it themselves. By unlocking your Assurance Phone before you sell it, you’ll be able to get a higher price for it.
The Benefits of Unlocking Your Assurance Phone
Unlocking your Assurance Phone can have several benefits:
- You’ll be able to use your phone on any carrier’s network, giving you greater flexibility and choice in selecting a mobile provider.
- You’ll be able to use international SIM cards when traveling, saving you money on roaming fees.
- You’ll be able to sell your phone for a higher price since it’s been unlocked and can be used by anyone.
How to Determine if Your Assurance Phone is Eligible for Unlocking
If you are considering unlocking your Assurance phone, it is important to determine if your device is eligible for unlocking. Follow these easy steps to check if your Assurance Phone is eligible for unlocking:
Step 1: Check Your Contract Status
The first thing you need to do is check your contract status with Assurance. If you have fulfilled the terms of your contract, you may be eligible for unlocking. If you are unsure if you have completed your contract, you can contact Assurance customer service to confirm your status.
Step 2: Check Your IMEI Number
The next step to determining if your Assurance phone is unlockable is to check your IMEI number. Your IMEI is a unique identification number that is tied to your phone’s hardware. You can find your IMEI number by entering *#06# on your phone’s dial pad. Once you have your IMEI number, contact Assurance customer service to verify that your phone is eligible for unlock based on the IMEI number.
Step 3: Verify Your Phone is Not Blacklisted
If your phone is blacklisted, it means that it has been reported lost or stolen and will not be eligible for unlocking. To verify if your phone is blacklisted, you can visit the national blacklist database. Simply enter your phone’s IMEI number to see if it has been blacklisted.
By following these simple steps, you can quickly determine if your Assurance phone is eligible for unlocking. Once you have confirmed that your phone is eligible, you can begin the process of unlocking your device and enjoying the freedom of using your phone with any carrier.
Requirements for Unlocking an Assurance Phone
If you have an Assurance Phone that you want to unlock, there are certain requirements that you need to meet before you can do so. In this section, we will go through these requirements so that you can proceed with the unlocking process smoothly.
Check if Your Phone is Eligible for Unlocking
The first thing you need to do is check if your Assurance Phone is eligible for unlocking. This means that your phone must meet certain criteria set by Assurance Wireless. To be eligible, your phone must:
- Be a phone provided by Assurance Wireless
- Have been active for at least 12 months
- Not be reported as stolen or lost
Get Your Phone’s IMEI Number
The next step is to get your phone’s IMEI number. This is a unique identification number that is assigned to every phone. You can find your phone’s IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone or by checking the phone’s settings.
Contact Assurance Wireless
Once you have checked that your phone is eligible for unlocking and have your phone’s IMEI number, you need to contact Assurance Wireless to initiate the unlocking process. You can do this by calling their customer service number or by visiting their website. They will guide you through the rest of the process and provide you with the necessary instructions.
Have a Reasonable Purpose for Unlocking
Assurance Wireless requires that you have a reasonable purpose for unlocking your phone. This can include traveling outside of the country, switching to a different service provider, or simply wanting to use your phone with a different SIM card. You will need to provide Assurance Wireless with this reason in order to proceed with the unlocking process.
By meeting these requirements, you will be able to successfully unlock your Assurance Phone and use it with a different network provider. Follow the instructions provided by Assurance Wireless carefully to avoid any issues.
Steps to Unlock Your Assurance Phone
If you’re looking to switch carriers or travel internationally, you may need to unlock your Assurance Phone to use it with a new network. Here are easy steps to follow to unlock your Assurance Phone:
Contact Assurance Wireless Customer Service
The first thing you need to do is contact the Assurance Wireless customer service team to request an unlock code. You can reach them by calling 1-888-321-5880 or by using their online chat service. You will need to provide some information, such as your phone’s IMEI number, to confirm your eligibility for an unlock code.
Back Up Your Data
Before you start the unlocking process, it’s essential to back up your phone’s data. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the process, you won’t lose any important information. You can use a cloud service like Google Drive or back up your data manually by connecting your phone to a computer and transferring your files.
Enter the Unlock Code
Once you receive your unlock code, insert a non-Assurance Wireless SIM card into your phone and turn it on. Your phone should prompt you to enter the unlock code. Enter it carefully, and if the code is correct, your phone should unlock itself and be ready for use on a new network.
Verify Your Phone is Unlocked
To make sure your phone is truly unlocked, try making a call or sending a text using your new SIM card. If it works, congratulations! Your phone is now unlocked and ready to be used on any carrier.
Follow Guidelines and Extra Tips for Assurance Wireless Unlocking
- Assurance Wireless allows only one unlock request per device within a 12 month period.
- Your Assurance Wireless account must be active for at least 12 months before your phone can be eligible for an unlock code.
- If you have any outstanding balances on your Assurance Wireless account, your phone may not be eligible for an unlock code until the balance is paid off.
- It’s essential to use a reputable unlocking service to avoid damaging your phone or invalidating any warranties.
- Once the phone is unlocked, it can’t be locked back again, so ensure you consider this before unlocking your phone.
What to Do if You Encounter Problems Unlocking Your Assurance Phone
Unlocking your Assurance Phone should be an easy and stress-free process, but sometimes you might encounter problems. Here are some common issues that you might face when unlocking your Assurance Phone and what you can do about them.
The Code Didn’t Work
If the code that you received to unlock your Assurance Phone didn’t work, the first thing that you need to do is to check if you entered it correctly. Make sure that you didn’t mistype any of the digits. If you’re sure that you entered the code correctly but it still didn’t work, contact the vendor who supplied the code and ask for assistance. They should be able to provide you with a new code.
The Phone is Still Locked
If you’ve entered the unlock code but your Assurance Phone is still locked, make sure that you’re using a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Your Assurance Phone might not be compatible with the carrier that you’re trying to use. If your phone is still locked, contact Assurance Wireless customer service for assistance.
The Phone is Not Accepting the Code
If you’re entering the correct code but your Assurance Phone is not accepting it, make sure that your phone is not already unlocked. Check if you can make a call with a different SIM card from a different carrier. If your phone is already unlocked, contact Assurance Wireless customer service for assistance.
You are Not Sure About the Code
If you’re not sure about the unlock code that you received, contact the vendor who supplied the code and ask for assistance. They should be able to verify that the code is correct or provide you with a new one.
You Cannot Enter the Code
If you cannot enter the unlock code on your Assurance Phone, make sure that your phone is not damaged and that the keypad is functioning correctly. Check if you can enter numbers or other characters. If your keypad is not functioning, contact Assurance Wireless customer service for assistance.
The Phone Displays an Error Message
If your phone displays an error message when you enter the unlock code, contact Assurance Wireless customer service for assistance. They should be able to troubleshoot the issue and provide you with a solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| What if I forgot my assurance phone password? | You can reset your phone by following the instructions on the Assurance Wireless official website or by contacting customer service. |
| How can I contact customer service? | You can call the Assurance Wireless customer service hotline or use their online chat support. |
| What should I do if my assurance phone is not working? | You can try troubleshooting your phone by turning it off and on again or by removing and reinserting the battery. If the problem persists, contact customer service for assistance. |
| What happens if I lose my assurance phone? | You can contact customer service to report the loss and request a replacement phone. A fee may be charged for the replacement. |
| Is the assurance phone compatible with all carriers? | No, the assurance phone is only compatible with the Assurance Wireless network. |
Thanks for Unlocking Your Assurance Phone!
We hope that this guide has been helpful in unlocking your Assurance Wireless phone. Remember to follow each step carefully to avoid any issues. If you encounter any problems during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to Assurance Wireless customer service for assistance. Thank you for reading and visit again later for more helpful guides!
